THE late Sir Peter Ustinov opposed the closure of a department at the North-East university where he was chancellor.

A few months before his death, the actor and raconteur wrote a letter expressing his views about Durham University's decision to axe its Department of East Asian Studies, which teaches Japanese and Chinese language and culture.

A campaign opposing the move has made the letter public because it says the university has decided to replace full degree courses with the equivalent of a few hours of evening language classes.

The move is part of an £8.7m restructuring at the university so it can strengthen what it considers to be key areas, such as chemistry and geological sciences.

But opponents, including students who staged demonstrations against the plan and the way consultation was carried out, believe the course is of great importance to the country.

In his letter to department head Don Starr, Sir Peter said he had told vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman of his views about the destruction of what he called "a valid and valuable department into something basically different".

Edward Radcliffe, of York, who took the course and is now a businessman, said the university was needlessly destroying a department of great value to the nation.

"Sir Peter was somebody who understood the importance of language and culture and, as such, was opposed to the decision."

Nobody from the university was available for comment last night.